Photos courtesy of the Colorado FFA Foundation
Three Colorado State University alumni were honored by the Colorado FFA Foundation on Thursday, February 29 as the latest inductees in the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, which is presented by Farm Credit Associations of Colorado. Scott Haley, Bill Hammerich and John Stulp were recognized for their significant contributions to the state’s second largest industry.
“These inductees have established lasting legacies in Colorado agriculture. They each exemplify the innovative, resilient, and hard-working spirit of Colorado’s agriculture community,” said Glenda Mostek, chair of the Colorado FFA Foundation. “We are honored to publicly thank them by inducting them into the Hall of Fame for all they have done and continue to do for agriculture.”
The award ceremony was hosted by Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg and the Colorado FFA State Officer team. Attendees from Colorado’s agricultural industry, education and communities from around the state gathered at the Westin Westminster to celebrate excellence and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders, including the nearly 50 FFA members in attendance.
“There is so much incredible work happening to shape the future of Colorado Agriculture across our state, and that work is being led by so many of your communities and so many of you here this room with us here tonight,” Greenberg said. “What we are capable of here in Colorado is immense. And what we get to celebrate here tonight is the passion and dedication of the people of Colorado agriculture. It is my honor to help induct three more well-deserving individuals into the Hall of Fame.”
Haley, Hammerich and Stulp join an esteemed list of 104 agriculturalists, including many CSU alumni, who have been similarly honored since 1989. Since 2015, portraits of the Hall of Fame inductees have been on display at the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education at CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center (ARDEC).
Honorees
Scott Haley – Excellence in Wheat Breeding and Teaching
M.S. and Ph.D., Agronomy, ’89, ’92
Scott Haley is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University. In 27 years as a public wheat breeder, he led teams responsible for the release of 39 improved winter wheat cultivars. His research led to greatly increased yields for Colorado wheat farmers and hundreds of millions of dollars of value in quality improvement. He was a leader and innovator in bringing new technologies to the breeding program, such as marker-assisted selection, use of doubled haploids, and genomic selection.
Bill Hammerich – Excellence in Government and Agricultural Leadership
B.S., Agricultural Economics, ’69
Bill Hammerich retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Livestock Association in 2022, after serving in that position for 20 years. Throughout his career, Bill was an advocate for livestock producers at both the state and federal levels on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues. His vision for and support of initiatives and legislation that will advance the efficiency, safety, and productivity of livestock producers across Colorado, helped solidify Colorado’s status as an agricultural leader across several livestock commodities.
John Stulp – Excellence in Public Service
D.V.M., Veterinary Medicine, ’70, ’72
Dr. John Stulp was the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture from 2006 to 2010, and water advisor to Governor John Hickenlooper from 2010 to 2018. He was appointed by five Governors of different political parties to two cabinet positions, six state boards and commissions over 45 years of public service, and was a major part of Colorado’s inaugural Water Plan. He and his family have opened their farm to trade teams, foreign farm tours, members of Congress, state legislators, nearly every State board and commission he has served on, grade schoolers and their teachers.
